National Museum of Ethiopia

Most visitors head straight for the basement, where the Lucy cast and all sorts of other archaeological finds are on display in one major hall. The main floor features displays of all sorts of royal regalia and historical objects, including massive ornate crosses, while the upper floors showcase paintings, crafts, and objects of ethnographic significance. Due to the museum's popularity and importance, it features on many full- and half-day tours of the city.

• The National Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in prehistory, art, or ethnography.
• Most staff at the museum speak English, and guides are sometimes available.
• The building has many staircases and is not wheelchair-accessible.

The museum is located about a 10-minute walk from Holy Trinity Cathedral and a 30-minute walk (or a 5-minute drive) from the Ethnological Museum. As public transportation isn't reliable or easy for visitors to use, your best bet is to come by taxi or on a guided tour. Taxis can be hailed on the street or booked using rideshare apps.

The National Museum of Ethiopia is open every day of the week except for Monday. Although the museum isn't generally too busy, you may wish to visit on a weekday or first thing in the morning when the crowds are likely to be smaller.

A short walk from the National Museum, the Holy Trinity Cathedral is the most important Orthodox cathedral in the city. It's the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen Asfaw, and visitors can walk straight up to their tombs to pay their respects. While the cathedral is sometimes locked to the public, there's usually a gatekeeper on hand to let visitors in.